Sex During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Editor's Note: This article has been recently updated with latest information and research studies.

Peony C Echavez

Q: I am in my first trimester of pregnancy. Can I have sex with my husband? Will it affect my growing baby, cause miscarriage or premature labor?

Expert Answer

The short answer is yes, sexual intercourse is possible during pregnancy. There are no risks of having sex during the first trimester, provided that you have normal pregnancy. However, long and complex explanation requires to pay attention to several factors that may affect you. Those include having a history of miscarriage, suffering from abdominal cramps and pain, presence of vaginal bleeding or spotting. Mothers who carry twins or multiples should also avoid sex during the first trimester. On the other hand, some factors are linked with the man in the relationship. One of those is genital herpes, carried by the man in the action. Genital herpes can harm the development of the baby, so it is crucial for mothers to avoid sex in order to make sure they don’t get it.

When it comes to sex, many future mothers are afraid that it can hurt the baby. There is no need for worry of panic, as sex can cause no harm. The baby is safely and comfortably positioned in the womb, protected within amniotic fluid, where the penis can’t reach. Partners should communicate with one another, and share their feelings, fears and expectations. Also, any concerns should be discussed with the physician as well. Mothers fearing they can harm the baby may want to picture that the baby is essentially an egg now, protected and surrounded with several pillows (amniotic fluid). Several mothers also fear that having sex can lead to miscarriage or premature labor. Those conditions are in no way connected to intercourse during pregnancy. Miscarriage is linked with chromosomal abnormalities.

For some women, first trimester is the time of most changes. Some experience increased lust, while others feel repulsiveness to sex. The essence of the intercourse changes as well. While some ladies enjoy sex more, others feel uncomfortable as it requires too much effort to make love and enjoy it. One of the factors contributing is the change in weight. As they gain weight, some mothers feel unsexy, not wanted and have no desire for sex. During the first trimester, it is essential to avoid deep penetration, and instead, go for gentle lovemaking. From first to third month, couples should enjoy more intimately actions like hugging cuddling in the bed. Some symptoms that may occur during first trimester, and are linked to sex are: breast tenderness and painful to touch, abdominal cramps after an intercourse, feel of fullness.

Some women decide to put sex on hold in the first twelve weeks, since they are suffering from various conditions including morning sickness and nausea, fatigue, sore breasts, frequent urination. All of these factors lower women’s desire for making love. Partners should try their best to keep women’s confidence up, as they don’t feel desirable with all that pregnancy weight.

On Sex Positions

Once pregnancy hits, couples find it hard to maneuver some of their favorite positions. For example, man on top is no longer possible nor recommended. Couples now need to be more creative, and explore other options. Some of the best and recommended positions include man from behind (the popular doggie style) or side to side spoon intercourse. It is not recommended for women to lie flat on their back, as this can cause severe problems linked with blood pressure and vessels. Another thing to keep in mind is that oral sex (performed on women) is another NO. Blowing air into the vagina leads to ladies developing air embolus, causing potentially fatal consequences. Anal sex is also on the forbidden list, as it is uncomfortable for the mother. More importantly, it might allow bacteria to spread from the rectum to her vagina.

Even though ladies are now pregnant, they should still practice safe sex and use condoms as contraception. Reason? STDs. Being pregnant doesn’t protect mothers from sexually transmitted diseases, and using a preservative is the only way to do so. No matter if mothers practice sex only with one partner, having a condom is always recommended. Orgasms during pregnancy are more enjoyable, as the blood flow to the uterus is increased. During pregnancy, orgasms often trigger uterine contractions. However, these are different from the contractions during labor. It should be noted clearly that orgasm is in no way increased the risk of premature labor or miscarriage.

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Peony is a registered nurse, and former Director of Nursing services for a
large nursing facility. She has written web content for a large health education website, and currently creates content for a number of health
practisioners.

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